Quick Dumb Question

[will l]

I was wondering why you cant put plants directly into a tank, I know thats what a refugum is for but I was just wondering the reason.

 

[kistheeze]

you can.
Just that they tend to grow fast and shadow corals. Or get eaten by your fish.

 

[will l]

So they should be fine for a 30gal FOWLR

 

[will l]

Just for future ref is triming the plants ok or will i end up killing them

 

[neilinny]

You'll have to trim them an awful lot. They'll root to the rock too. I did it while I built my 'fuge and overflow. I resorted to a specimen box too, it sucked. My sister has some in her 10G. I feel it's beneficial to our systems. It's just another thing to manage in the system. A refugium helps lower the maintenance level of keeping it.

 

[will l]

thanks for the heads up, I think im still going to try it though... away from my rock.

 

[cartman101]

So. Its better off if you have a plant in your tank? They will eat the nitrates,right?

 

[condork12]

I wouldnt say eat but i would say obsorb and and use as food.

 

[will l]

Thats what im lookin for

 

[clarkiiboi]

Hope you don't mind, wanted to ask a question within yours.
What would the best choice, if one would do this in the main tank? Thanks,

 

[reefer44]

chaeto is a very good macro algae....won't cling to your rocks and is much better looking than caulerpa imo....i think you were asking what kind of macro to use right??( you just asked which one is best and i assume you mean algae)

 

[clarkiiboi]

Yep, meant what would be the best macro algea if one decided to try it in a main tank. Does chaeto need light 24/7? Will it go sexual (I think that is the term)? That, I believe, could be a bad thing for the tank. Is that correct? All this still confuses me, still very green behind the ears on this topic. Anything you could add would be great, got a pic? Know any other names for it to help with a search? Will L I only ask b/c it also will help you in your choice also.

 

[will l]

No problem, im intrested too. Are shaving brush ok too? I only ask because they sell them on this site.

 

[madysmom]

i have purple grape calurpa and green leafy calurpa in my tank and looks good in there heres a pick of it for you also selling some of it if your interested

 

[will l]

Can I see some pics of how they are setup in different tanks, just to get some ideas for my own. Thx

 

[will l]

where exactly is it in ur refugium i cant seem to find it. And if anyone has a pic of it in there main tank that would be great.

 

[will l]

I was asking where exactly is it... 1 2 3 or 4?

 

[clarkiiboi]

Will Thanks for letting me tag along. , much appreciated.
Magic thanks for the info and I got a few more questions. Cheato, is that the short name for this? Got any specific names to help with a search or help my LFS order it correctly? Lighting---its not a 24/7 macro, right? and does it need specific lighting? Lastly, if it does not cling to the rocks what does it cling to, or does it just grow upward? Thanks both of you for your patience.

 

[will l]

I think it's Chaetomorpha. Thanks alot for the help